NCTC Director Michael E. Leiter has appointed Andrew M. Liepman as the Center’s new Principal Deputy Director. Liepman will be responsible for leading and guiding the Center’s intelligence, watchlisting, information sharing, and strategic operational planning missions, as well as representing the Center at various interagency counterterrorism forums.

Since arriving at NCTC in July 2006, Liepman has led the Center’s Directorate of Intelligence, the organization primarily responsible for producing long-range strategic counterterrorism analysis and current intelligence products for senior U.S. policymakers, as well as a wide range of non-federal counterterrorism intelligence consumers. A 29-year CIA intelligence professional, Liepman previously served in a variety of senior leadership positions related to Middle Eastern and South Asian regional issues, weapons proliferation, and counterterrorism.

Liepman replaces John “Geoff” O’Connell, a career National Clandestine Service officer, who has been NCTC’s Principal Deputy Director since June 2008. After retiring from the CIA in 2004, followed by several years in the private sector, O’Connell returned to serve again in the federal government, helping to lead NCTC during a period of increased terrorist activity. O’Connell will depart NCTC on June 3, 2011.

“Geoff O’Connell is an extraordinarily selfless professional who once again answered the nation’s call for service during one of the most active and dynamic periods of terrorist activity in recent memory,” said Michael E. Leiter, National Counterterrorism Center director. “As part of the NCTC leadership team, Geoff’s innumerable contributions have been central to our country’s counterterrorism efforts. His work at the Center and across the counterterrorism community has been of significant and enduring value in keeping our nation safe.”

“Andrew “Andy” Liepman’s willingness to serve as my Principal Deputy Director brings tremendous continuity and stability to the NCTC mission,” Leiter said. “He has been integral to NCTC’s development during its formative years and his thorough understanding of all aspects of the U.S. Government’s counterterrorism responsibilities ideally positions him for his new duties.”

NCTC is a mission center in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and serves as the primary organization in the U.S. Government for analysis and integration of all terrorism intelligence, and conducts strategic operational planning for counterterrorism activities, integrating all instruments of U.S. national power.